Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney has backed veteran Daniel Giansiracusa, who is facing suspension after Saturday’s big AFL loss to Port Adelaide.

Giansiracusa was reported for rough conduct in the last term of Saturday’s 72-point loss to Port Adelaide for a crude bump on Jared Polec.

He already has 70 demerit points this season after accepting a rough conduct charge for his bump on Adelaide’s Patrick Dangerfield in round six.

If the match review panel uphold Saturday’s match-day report, which seems likely, then the demerit points mean Giansiracusa will receive a suspension.

But McCartney backed the specialist substitute, saying he is not a dirty player.

“It’s a one-off incident that I’m sure he didn’t mean,” McCartney said.

“He’s competitive, but he’s not malicious – he doesn’t have a malicious bone in his body.

“If you could have that half a second back, I think we’ve all had them in our lives … you’d do it a bit differently.

“He’s a competitive man and he’s been a great Western Bulldogs person for a long time.”

It is one of many issues the Bulldogs have on their plate after Saturday’s horrible performance.

Only a week after beating Collingwood in a major upset, they were blown away after halftime.

They also lost captain Ryan Griffen with back spasms, while Jordan Roughead (shoulder) and Jarrad Grant (concussion) were also hurt.

McCartney praised Roughead for playing out the game despite his injury.

The coach also said the injuries – particularly the loss of Griffen – were no excuse.

“I don’t make excuses,” he said.

“Effort and our application in the second half got exposed.

“It showed where they are as a footy team, which is on top, and where we’re at and where we have to get better.”

McCartney said the ‘Dogs lost their way, particularly in the last quarter.